Reading Specialist, Licensure Only

Advance your career with the Reading Specialist post-baccalaureate licensure-only program, designed for educators across the Commonwealth who already hold Master’s degrees in elementary, early childhood, or special education.* This remote-synchronous (virtual) and individually customized licensure-only program prepares candidates to achieve initial Reading Specialist licensure from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MA DESE). Reading Specialist is an instructional leadership program that prepares teachers to support co-teachers collaboratively as they work to improve PreK-12 students’ literacy achievement.

Our curriculum is based on our State approved and nationally accredited Reading Specialist Master’s degree program. It is grounded in scientific, research-based pedagogical practices for all learners in literacy assessment and instruction and on advancing the skills of classroom or special education teachers to become literacy leaders. Our program is aligned with the Massachusetts PreK-12 Curriculum Frameworks, Professional Standards for Teachers, Subject Matter Knowledge Regulations and national teacher preparation standards (accredited by AAQEP, the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation). Many members of our faculty have won teaching awards.

Throughout your WSU journey, you will receive dedicated support from one academic advisor who will construct an individualized program of study after consideration of courses previously taken and who will guide you in program completion from semester to semester. We also offer free MTEL workshops and resources for the Field 62 test (Reading Specialist) for applicants who have not yet met this pre-requisite.  

Upon successfully fulfilling the requirements of the customized program of study, including some coursework and two required practica, candidates will receive endorsement for Reading Specialist licensure from the WSU licensure officer.

*We also offer a fully remote-synchronous Master’s degree program in Reading Specialist for candidates who wish to pursue this route to licensure.

For advice or program specific questions please contact:

Sandra Berkowitz, PhD, Reading Specialist Program Area Chair sberkowitz@westfield.ma.edu

You may view the complete WSU M.Ed. program of study for Reading Specialist upon which the licensure-only program is based, by going to: https://www.westfield.ma.edu/academics/degrees/reading-specialist-med

• Remote synchronous (virtual) programming:  All courses are offered once per week in the late afternoon/early evening after K-12 schools dismiss and all classes are offered virtually. Students meet with their professor and classmates via Zoom sessions on a designated day/time. This allows candidates who do not work or live near campus to enroll in this program. Practica are offered either in or within reasonable proximity to candidates’ home schools and are supervised by a university supervisor in that area.
• Professional avenues for educators with Reading Specialist licensure include literacy interventionist, literacy coach, teacher-leader, literacy tutor, tier two teacher of literacy.
• Affordability: We have always been and continue to be one of the most if not the most affordable programs in the state.
• A customized program of study: The Reading Specialist program area chair will consider the candidate’s Master’s degree transcript to determine which courses previously taken may be applied to the program of study as substitutions. Because of this, the number of required courses leading to endorsement for licensure will typically be significantly fewer than the number of courses required in the full Master’s degree in Reading Specialist.
• Required Minimum Credit Hours: For candidates who did not receive their Master’s degrees from WSU, a minimum of six credit hours are required to be taken at Westfield State University prior to the two required program practica. For WSU Master’s degree graduates, there is no minimum number of credit hours.  
• Two practica included: we include two practica at the end of the program: one in clinical practice teaching younger and older learners and one in literacy leadership and coaching peers and paraprofessionals. The second practicum is intended to support teachers as they learn to assume the role of teacher-leader. Practicum supervisors are trained by WSU faculty and hired locally to allow candidates to complete the practica in their home schools while maintaining their current teaching positions.
• A grade of B or better is required for all courses and the two practica..

Prospective students should access the post-baccalaureate teacher licensure application for Reading Specialist online at connect.westfield.ma.edu/apply/ 

The following materials must be received for an application to be reviewed:

1. Completed post-baccalaureate application with $50 application fee
2. Official transcripts from all colleges or universities previously attended
3. Two letters of recommendation. One academic reference is strongly encouraged. References should specifically address candidates’ professional dispositions and  pedagogical expertise in teaching literacy
4. A copy of the initial teaching license
5. Documentation of at least one year of teaching experience in the field of  the current initial licenses
6. A passing score on MTEL Field 62 (previously Field 08) Reading Specialist. Please note that applicants may request access to MTEL preparation materials from WSU if they have not already passed this MTEL

At Westfield State University, we proudly carry the legacy of being the first public coeducational teacher's college in the U.S., founded in 1839 with a commitment to inclusivity regardless of gender, race, or economic status. Today, this commitment remains unwavering as we prepare educators for diverse PreK-12 settings, extending our impact across Massachusetts, New England, and beyond. Led by nationally accredited programs, our dedicated faculty, comprised of experienced educators and administrators, provide personalized advising to ensure our student teachers are well-equipped for the dynamic opportunities and challenges in the field of education.